Tree Safety
The primary component of any tree inspection is hazard assessment - how dangerous is the tree and what should be done about it?
All trees have the potential to fail (break or collapse). All tree owners have a legal duty of care to ensure their trees are not a danger to public safety.
You can and should regularly inspect the trees on your property. If you notice any abnormalities or are concerned about the condition of the trees - consult expert advice. Property owners are expected to have trees in critical locations (e.g. over roads, buildings, etc.) regularly inspected, ideally by a professional who is suitably and specifically qualified and experienced to inspect and report on trees and tree safety.
If a tree breaks and causes harm to people or property, the tree owner will be liable for damages if proved negligent; negligence will typically hinge on whether the accident was reasonably foreseeable, i.e. was it likely and should it have been prevented.
Expert assessment of the condition of a tree can identify if predictable failure is likely. A tree may be hazardous if there are significant defects that represent an unacceptable risk of failure that could result in damage to high value 'targets' (people and property vulnerable to injury) present. In an inspection report. some form of management action (treatment) will then be recommended to remove or mitigate the tree hazard.
Too often lack of knowledge leads people to be afraid of trees and to unnecessary felling or pruning. Tree safety is a complex subject. There can be no substitute for education and experience. Large trees especially need expert inspection both to ensure public safety and tree conservation. Saving lives, property AND trees is the objective.
Trees can often be in excellent health and yet be extremely dangerous. Conversely, very old, decayed trees may represent little or no hazard and are often specimens of immense wildlife and/or historical value (see Environment & History). Too often ignorant and improper inspection and advice has resulted in unnecessary tree removal or improper disfiguring pruning - often while truly hazardous trees are overlooked.
Goodwin-Arborist regularly perform tree inspection reports for legal and insurance cases. We advise and act as expert witnesses in all reasonable actions and defences in relation to tree-related accidents and damages.
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